[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/www.ieec.cat\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/slider-comunicacio.jpg” max_height=”130px” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”24px||11px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Unitats de recerca” module_class=”ieec-orgs” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|700||on|||||” text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”|700|||||||” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” header_font_size_tablet=”28px” header_font_size_phone=”26px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoiY3VzdG9tX21ldGFfb3JnYW5pemFjaW9uZXMiLCJzZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJiZWZvcmUiOiIiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImVuYWJsZV9odG1sIjoib2ZmIn19@[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_title author=”off” categories=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” admin_label=”T\u00edtol i data” module_class=”ieec-title” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”Cairo|300|||||||” title_font_size=”40px” meta_font=”||on||||||” meta_font_size=”16px” title_font_size_tablet=”35px” title_font_size_phone=”30px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_text admin_label=”Subt\u00edtols” module_class=”ieec-summary” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Source Sans Pro||on||||||” text_font_size=”24px” text_line_height=”1.1em” hover_enabled=”0″ text_font_size_tablet=”22px” text_font_size_phone=”20px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_post_title title=”off” meta=”off” module_class=”ieec-img-container” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” border_width_top=”10px” border_color_top=”#406fda” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_text module_class=”ieec-img-footer” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.1em” background_color=”rgba(64,111,218,0.15)” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px|20px|30px|20px|true|true” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Spain will contribute eight of the sixteen satellites that will make up the Atlantic Constellation. Open Cosmos<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”|700|||on||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Recently, an innovative Earth observation programme jointly promoted by Portugal and Spain was officially announced: the Atlantic Constellation, which involves participation from public institutions and private companies. The announcement took place on 16 October at the facilities of the <\/span>European Space Agency<\/span><\/a> (ESA) in Madrid (ESAC) during the celebration of the agency\u2019s 50th anniversary.<\/span><\/p>\n The space technology leader <\/span>Open Cosmos<\/span><\/a> has been selected by the <\/span>Spanish Space Agency<\/span><\/a> (AEE) and ESA to lead the development of the Spanish component of this constellation. As part of this role, Open Cosmos will design and build eight advanced microsatellites that will generate critical Earth observation data for key applications, including environmental management, climate resilience, and coastal monitoring. The delivery of these satellites is scheduled for before 2027.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”|700|||on||||” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Other companies involved in the Atlantic Constellation include Satlantis, Al\u00e9n Space, and FOSSA Systems, as well as several research units from the <\/span>Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia<\/span><\/a> (IEEC \u2014 Institut d\u2019Estudis Espacials de Catalunya), which will play a key role in implementing its Spanish component. In particular, research groups from the <\/span>Institute of Space Sciences<\/span><\/a> (ICE-CSIC), the <\/span>Universitat Polit\u00e8cnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech<\/span><\/a> (UPC), and the <\/span>Universitat Aut\u00f2noma de Barcelona<\/span><\/a> (UAB) collaborated on the winning proposal.<\/span><\/p>\n The programme has a planned operational lifespan of five years, aiming to develop a resilient, accessible, and practical space infrastructure that delivers tangible benefits for society and the planet.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe upcoming ESA ministerial meeting is crucial for Spain to maintain the progress of its space initiatives. With the signing of ESCA\u2014the Spanish component of the Atlantic Constellation\u2014which has significant potential to contribute to ERS-EO (European Resilience from Space \u2013 Earth Observation), we are demonstrating the scope of Spain\u2019s involvement in ESA\u2019s Earth Observation programmes,\u201d said Simonetta Cheli, ESA Director of Earth Observation Programmes, during the ESA\u2019s 50th anniversary celebrations.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_class=”section-title” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”25px” hover_enabled=”0″ header_2_font_size_tablet=”23px” header_2_font_size_phone=”23px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”|700|||on||||” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Each of the eight microsatellites will be equipped with <\/span>four onboard instruments for collecting Earth data<\/b>: high-resolution multispectral optical cameras, providing a detailed view of the planet; GNSS reflectometry sensors, which measure reflections of navigation signals from the Earth\u2019s surface; IoT connectivity (Internet of Things), enabling in situ data collection in remote areas, monitoring various terrestrial aspects, and transmitting this information affordably; and AIS (Automatic Identification System), which allows the tracking of vessels and monitoring of maritime activity beyond visual limitations.<\/span><\/p>\n The ICE-CSIC is responsible for one of the four payloads on each satellite: <\/span>the GNSS reflectometer<\/span><\/a> (GNSS-R), a remote sensing technique that uses satellite signals reflected off the Earth\u2019s surface to gather information.<\/span><\/p>\n GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) comprises constellations that transmit signals for navigation and positioning, such as GPS and Galileo. The GNSS-R sensor <\/span>captures these signals once they bounce off terrestrial surfaces<\/b>\u2014oceans, land, lakes, polar ice, etc.\u2014to infer certain properties of those surfaces.<\/span><\/p>\n The hardware and firmware of the sensor are provided by Microwave Sensors and Electronics (MWSE) and the UPC, respectively. This payload is based on the Flexible Microwave Payload – 2 (FMPL-2), a hybrid instrument that combines a microwave radiometer and a navigation signal reflectometer, which was previously flown in 2020 on the<\/span> 3<\/span>Cat-5\/A satellite of the <\/span>FSSCat mission<\/span><\/a>, developed at the UPC <\/span>NanoSat Lab<\/span><\/a>. In this way, the consortium leverages the expertise gained from this mission\u2014the first CubeSat-based mission contributing to the <\/span>Copernicus<\/span><\/a> programme with data on soil moisture, sea ice extent and thickness, as well as sea wind and salinity.<\/span><\/p>\n For this project, the UPC is also developing the <\/span>Level 1 algorithms that will transform the raw data into observables <\/b>from which geophysical parameters are derived. Adriano Camps, UPC professor and IEEC member, has led this contribution. The antenna, meanwhile, is supplied by Anteral.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition, ICE-CSIC also develops the <\/span>algorithms to extract the geophysical information<\/b> from the low level data. These algorithms, which will produce surface inundation information, soil moisture, ocean winds and sea ice characteristics, will run operationally in the mission’s ground segment once the satellites are launched into their orbits.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe Atlantic Constellation, with eight satellites carrying a GNSS-R sensor each, will represent a major contribution to the Earth Observation System. It will provide key variables using L-band microwave observations across the whole planet, with potential impact in weather prediction, agriculture and water resources management, climate studies and emergency response\u201d, said ICE-CSIC and IEEC researcher Estel Cardellach, pioneer in the study and development of the GNSS reflectometry technique.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition, the IEEC and the Group on Interactive Coding of Images (<\/span>GICI<\/span><\/a>) at the UAB supported the Open Cosmos proposal by contributing <\/span>data compression technology<\/span><\/a>. These are state-of-the-art algorithms for the compression of multispectral images, specifically designed for nanosatellites.<\/span><\/p>\n The innovative configuration of this constellation makes it one of the most versatile and impactful ever developed in Europe, and a unique example of its kind for Catalonia and Spain.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_class=”section-title” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”25px” hover_enabled=”0″ header_2_font_size_tablet=”23px” header_2_font_size_phone=”23px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”4px|||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” link_font=”|700|||on||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The data generated by these satellites will empower governments, industries, and researchers to make faster, smarter, and more informed decisions across a wide range of sectors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In environmental and climate management, the constellation will enable <\/span>continuous monitoring of forests, crops, and water resources<\/b>, providing early insights into deforestation, droughts, and other ecological changes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Along coastlines and at sea, it will enhance <\/span>pollution tracking, vessel monitoring, and maritime safety<\/b>, supporting cleaner oceans and more efficient navigation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n During emergencies such as <\/span>wildfires, floods, or natural disasters<\/b>, near real-time data will deliver critical situational awareness to first responders and authorities, helping protect lives and infrastructure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Finally, in cities and regions, the constellation\u2019s insights will also inform <\/span>urban planning, land management, and smart city initiatives<\/b>, ensuring that development is not only efficient but also sustainable and resilient.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#406fda” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Cairo|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#406fda” text_font_size=”20px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The Atlantic Constellation<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7FHxymWTsXI” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#406fda” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Enlla\u00e7os” module_class=”ieec-sub-title” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Cairo|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#406fda” text_font_size=”20px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Links<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”ieec-sub-text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.1em” link_font=”|700|||on|||#1a1140|” link_text_color=”#1a1140″ link_line_height=”1.4em” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#406fda” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Contactes” module_class=”ieec-sub-title” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Cairo|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#406fda” text_font_size=”20px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Contacts<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|||20px|false|false” border_width_left=”1px” border_color_left=”#406fda” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.1em” link_font=”|700|||on|||#1a1140|” link_text_color=”#1a1140″ link_line_height=”1.4em” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#1a1140″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Castelldefels, Barcelona [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|||20px|false|false” border_width_left=”1px” border_color_left=”#406fda” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1em” link_font=”|700|||on||||” link_text_color=”#1a1140″ header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#1a1140″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row module_id=”ieec-about” module_class=”about-ieec” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(64,111,218,0.15)” global_module=”17324″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”20px|50px|20px|50px|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Sobre l’IEEC” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”25px” custom_margin=”||10px||false|false” header_2_font_size_tablet=”23px” header_2_font_size_phone=”23px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||” link_font=”|700|||on||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC \u2014 Institut d\u2019Estudis Espacials de Catalunya) promotes and coordinates space research and technology development in Catalonia for the benefit of society. IEEC fosters collaborations both locally and worldwide and is an efficient agent of knowledge, innovation and technology transfer. As a result of more than 25 years of high-quality research, done in collaboration with major international organisations, IEEC ranks among the best international research centres, focusing on areas such as: astrophysics, cosmology, planetary science, and Earth Observation. IEEC\u2019s engineering division develops instrumentation for ground- and space-based projects, and has extensive experience in working with private or public organisations from the aerospace and other innovation sectors.<\/p>\n The IEEC is a non-profit public sector foundation that was established in February 1996. It has a Board of Trustees composed of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Universitat Aut\u00f2noma de Barcelona (UAB), Universitat Polit\u00e8cnica de Catalunya \u00b7 BarcelonaTech (UPC), and the Spanish Research Council (CSIC). The IEEC is also a CERCA centre.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The company Open Cosmos has been selected by the Spanish Space Agency (AEE) and the European Space Agency (ESA) to lead the development of the Spanish component of this constellation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":40524,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"2880","footnotes":""},"categories":[102,74,31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40532","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-innovation","category-news","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nRemote sensing techniques for climate studies<\/h2>\n
Turning space data into impact<\/h2>\n
\n
IEEC Communication Office<\/h4>\n
E-mail: comunicacio@ieec.cat<\/a><\/p>\nLead Researcher at the IEEC<\/h4>\n
Estel Cardellach<\/h4>\n
Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC)
E-mail: cardellach@ieec.cat,<\/a> cardellach@ice.csic.es<\/a><\/p>\nAdriano Camps<\/h4>\n
Universitat Polit\u00e8cnica de Catalunya (UPC)
E-mail: camps@ieec.cat,<\/a> adriano.jose.camps@upc.edu<\/a><\/p>\nAbout the IEEC<\/h2>\n